Gorley Creek dam
Gorley Creek
Gorley Creek, also known as Gorley Creek Main Dam, is a privately-owned irrigation dam located in Lemhi, Idaho. Built in 1913, this earth dam stands at a height of 18.7 feet and has a storage capacity of 115 acre-feet, serving the primary purpose of irrigation. With a drainage area of 0.6 square miles and a maximum discharge of 15 cubic feet per second, Gorley Creek plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Despite its significant contribution to water resource management, Gorley Creek Dam is currently rated as having a poor condition assessment. The last inspection in September 2016 highlighted the need for maintenance and improvement to ensure the dam's continued safety and functionality. With a low hazard potential but moderate risk assessment, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize risk management measures and investment in maintaining this vital infrastructure. As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure, proactive measures are needed to safeguard Gorley Creek Dam and ensure its resilience in the face of evolving challenges. Climate enthusiasts and water resource experts alike can appreciate the importance of sustainable management practices for maintaining the integrity of dams like Gorley Creek in the face of a changing climate.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Gorley Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon River At Salmon Id | 5,380 cfs | → |
| Lemhi River Below L5 Diversion Near Salmon | 172 cfs | → |
| Napias Creek Below Arnett Creek Near Leesburg | 95 cfs | → |
| Blackbird Creek Near Cobalt | 12 cfs | → |
| Lemhi River Nr Lemhi Id | 219 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Jackson Mt | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gorley Creek.
Boat launches
- Us 93 East Salmon
- Us 93 West Salmon
- Elevenmile Day Use Area
- Us 93 Lemhi County
- National Forest Development Road 028 Lemhi County
Campgrounds
- Shoup Bridge
- Shoup Bridge Campground
- Cougar Point
- Cougar Point Campground
- Williams Lake Campground
- Morgan Bar
Fishing spots
Track Gorley Creek in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Gorley Creek
Where does the data for Gorley Creek come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Gorley Creek.